44 | Career spans half a century Paul Van Der Voort has seen many changes in the forestry industry over a long and enjoyable career. Forest Management NZ: 50th Anniversary T T Richard Loader FORESTRY Driven by a passion for working outdoors and particularly in New Zealand’s forests, Paul Van Der Voort embarked upon a forestry career that has spanned half a century, giving witness to many changes within the industry “In 1974, there were three avenues that you could follow in forestry, and two avenues meant living in the forest while you were learning. “One was the Forest Ranger Scheme, and the other was Woodsman Training Scheme, which is what I went through at the Kaingaroa Woodsman School, out of Rotorua. It was a real learning time and you grew up pretty quick. The third avenue was a technical route with a Forestry Degree.” The first big industry change occurred in the ‘70s, transitioning from wages crews working for government owned NZ Forest Service, to putting the work out to contract, and paying people in piece rate. “That opened a lot of opportunities for people who had the skills and drive to follow through, and established the basis of the contractor workforce that we have today. The other major change was when Forest Service’s assets were sold in the late 1980s and forestry changed from a single large Government owner across New Zealand to lots of smaller private owners, with a focus on return on investment.” In 1984 Paul specialised in Harvesting and Roading. Involved in either planning, roading and engineering, or harvesting and log transport, he moved extensively around New Zealand, changing into different roles and gaining more experience. “Every region and area has extreme differences that you have to deal with to gain the outcome you want. When we started roading and harvesting in Wairoa, the industry said you would never be able to log all year round, but we achieved it, and we’re still logging twelve months a year in the Wairoa/Gisborne areas.” After spending ten years working in 5ha – 20ha woodlots for another forestry company, in 2016 Paul took the opportunity to join the Forest Management NZ (FMNZ) team as its National Harvest Manager. “I knew FMNZ had first rotation forests coming on and they needed people to plan the forests for roading and harvests and execute the work. I understood the requirements of working on smaller forests, and multiple owners. And while FMNZ’s forests were around 300 hectares, the philosophy of having multiple owners was already instilled in me.” What Paul has loved most about his forestry career is the ability to create and execute the clearing of the forest. You’re given a clean slate and have put all the many parts of the complex jigsaw together – it’s not just the forest and the contractors, there are many complexities that go with it. It’s following the supply chain from the start to the finish, and at the end knowing you’ve achieved a good outcome.” Paul is confident that the future of forestry is New Zealand is assured, with more and more forests to being planted and a greater demand on wood in construction. He says forestry would like to go into easier country to reduce the risk of not meeting the RMA and Health & Safety in Workplace Act requirements, and so that more can be done with harvest mechanisation. Yet, the community as a whole wants forestry to be in the back country, furthest away from port and country that cannot be used for anything else. “But forestry continues to be effective land use, and with the growing of trees there’s always going to be a harvest time. “For those people who enjoy the complexity of supply chain management and working in the outside, then this is really a career that gives a lot back to the person.” Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. Volume 6 | Issue 2 | April 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz ‘Excellence in Energy’ Taranaki’s Todd Energy will have a key role to play as New Zealand moves toward a low emissions economy. Page 8 Waikato farmers Dean & Ang Finnerty have expanded their dairy cow operation into a successful goat milking enterprise as well PAGE 10 Turning challenge into opportunity AUTUMN 2022 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Volume 6 | Issue 3 | July 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Making waves Back on track New Zealand hydrofoil maker Armstrong is generating interest around the world with its high performance products. Work on the ambitious NZCIS facility in Upper Hutt is progressing well after Covid disruptions. PAGE 70 PAGE 10 Healthy delivery A new elective surgery facility in Hastings will provide a big boost to the region’s operating capacity. PAGE 52 Volume 6 | Issue 5 | December 2021 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Cheers Boys! YoungWellington irm3Māori Boys is creating a buzz with it’s ground-breakingWai Manuka natural beverage. PAGE 45 Passion and pride New Plymouth’s Energyworks has forged a strong reputation in 50 years of business. PAGE 64 Seaview upgrade CentrePort’s SeaviewWharf facility is set for a major upgrade to bring it up to international standards. PAGE 14 businesscentral Each edition priority delivered to your door. i i i i li . www.waterfordpress.co.nz/subscriptions . . . 03 983 5525 Stay informed; we work with business owners and decision-makers across all economic sectors, pro iling their success. i ; i i i i - ll i , ili i . 767 Aria Road, R.D.2, Pio Pio Mark & Jenny Bradbury Phone/Fax: 07 8777788 Mobile: 021 929665 Proudly Supporting Forest Management NZ WHITE RIDGE FORESTRY - EARTHWORKS - METAL
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